I would say it was somewhat messy but not a complete mess. Does that mean I should vote "no" on this poll?
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Do you think the Apple Watch preorder and launch has been a complete mess/disaster?
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I don't see how anyone can judge the launch process yet. They never promised delivery of all preorders tomorrow. It was always a range of dates. If everyone gets their watches within the promised windows, then I think the launch will be very successful. It's amazing that people expect Apple to be able to go from zero to millions produced for a brand-new complicated, high-tech product instantaneously. They probably could have met demand better, but they would have had to wait another month until production was fully able to meet initial demand. I'd rather the earlier start date and the inherent initial demand issues than waiting longer.
Everything was smooth except for order fulfillment. The date range is garbage - Apple should be providing people with conservative delivery estimates, TO THE DAY. This is 2015, it isn't hard (especially for the wealthiest company), to write some software to optimize this. I find it hard to believe that they didn't know how many Watches were coming off the line in time for launch.
And then when they are off on their dates, people complain, and legitimately at that?
Much better to overestimate and deliver early, than underestimate and be late.
And even with that, you're not still taking into account the logistics and inventory issue that still is the crux of the problem. no amount of software is going to take care of that.
BL.
While I agree with some of your post, the key is conservative. Underpromise and over-deliver on a specific date people can look forward to. Having worked in supply chain for heavy manufacturing, I understand logistics and supply constraints. However, it's beyond me that with 2 weeks to go to launch, they didn't know how many watches they had in hand, or how many they could deliver by a certain date. If this was an Etsy project out of someone's backyard, I could understand - but not from a company with the resources apple has, especially since they've done hugely successful launches many times in the past. At this point, it seems more of an attempt to inflate demand than anything else (which I admire as a business owner and engineer), but also hate as a customer for obvious reasons.
Regardless, these are just my outsider's observations and speculation. The internal reality is most likely far different. I shall just wait for my watch at this point
While I agree with some of your post, the key is conservative. Underpromise and over-deliver on a specific date people can look forward to. Having worked in supply chain for heavy manufacturing, I understand logistics and supply constraints. However, it's beyond me that with 2 weeks to go to launch, they didn't know how many watches they had in hand, or how many they could deliver by a certain date. If this was an Etsy project out of someone's backyard, I could understand - but not from a company with the resources apple has, especially since they've done hugely successful launches many times in the past. At this point, it seems more of an attempt to inflate demand than anything else (which I admire as a business owner and engineer), but also hate as a customer for obvious reasons.
Regardless, these are just my outsider's observations and speculation. The internal reality is most likely far different. I shall just wait for my watch at this point
Very well stated, and I agree with your sentiments regarding the supply constraints. No excuse for one of the most valuable and wealthiest companies on earth not to properly forecast demand for what would inevitably become a hugely successful product, especially with the many months they had leading up to the "launch" date. The fact that there is still a June delivery estimate nearly 2 weeks after the initial preorder date is mind boggling, especially since it was showing a June delivery estimate just 30 minutes after many models were launched in the preorder stages.
They should have some kind of loyalty, for example if someone bought an iPhone 6, MacBook pro, Apple TV, Apple watch...they should have their orders shipped earlier than someone who's buying their first Apple product....also the no purchase through stores (online only) doesn't make any sense to me...so someone walks in to the Apple Store, never heard of the watch and tries it on, loves it, decides to buy it but can't ??? They have to order online and wait 2 months to get it ? Really? I know there is high demand but this doesn't make sense to me...all previous iPhones had high demand yet you can still buy one at the store.
But then the 5th Avenue scalpers would get all the watches. Because they've bought 12,000 iPhones in the past.
If I'm honest, because I'm stuck in "processing" I'm inclined to say yes. However I feel like if I weren't, it would be the opposite. It's hard to gauge really.
Apple is still getting their $$$...and I'm sure they can find a way to stop them.But then the 5th Avenue scalpers would get all the watches. Because they've bought 12,000 iPhones in the past.
Try the powerbook 5100, which had a tendency to start fires (recalled but never sent out a notice (at least not to me))
Felt very un 
like. Sort of like they were making everything up as they went along. Without thinking much through to begin with.
like. Sort of like they were making everything up as they went along. Without thinking much through to begin with.Every other Apple launch I've been a part of, you ordered for launch day and then shipments started slipping to weeks.
This time, there were no magic 200 units of each type allocated for launch, for a number of reasons, and we all got a range.
We hard-core fans dont do well with ranges. I've never felt this topsy turvey during the ordering process. And I can't judge the software yet, so can't comment there. At least I'm getting mine tomorrow - I'd be climbing walls otherwise.
This time, there were no magic 200 units of each type allocated for launch, for a number of reasons, and we all got a range.
We hard-core fans dont do well with ranges. I've never felt this topsy turvey during the ordering process. And I can't judge the software yet, so can't comment there. At least I'm getting mine tomorrow - I'd be climbing walls otherwise.
Felt very un
I think they were so far behind in getting quantity, they decided to ship to shut people up
My mind is just blown right now. First you guys love apple about how innovative they are. They set a launch date for a product on the 24th - realizing they can't produce as many as they'd like so now it's more in range 24th- may 8th and online only. Now you guys wanna cut their arm off.
It's insane. Can't you people just be happy for one second?
It's insane. Can't you people just be happy for one second?
To be fair, I think Apple is a wonderful company who makes outstanding products. I'm a former Apple employee who worked for the company for many years, loved my job, and still very much love the company. However, I think that it's fair to be objective, and it's clear that they need to improve their processes. I felt that working as an employee seeing how things are run from the inside, and feel that now as a customer. I think some people need to take off the rose colored glasses and be pragmatic and objective about it.
No. Here's the problem. You have 1000 of x product and 10000 people want to buy it. You ramp up production which is what apple is doing. There's going to be delays.
If anything Apple is guilty in thinking their apple watch wasn't going to be this successful. They had a supply target and the demand simply overwhelmed the supply.
Half of the problem is you people constantly ordering and canceling the watch. It causes havoc with the inventory software. That's why you have "June" or "July" in your delivery time frame. It's going to be much sooner than that. But because of people ordering 2,4,6 watches and then canceling later it causes havoc.
They should have had the try on first for 2 weeks and then the pre-order.
If anything Apple is guilty in thinking their apple watch wasn't going to be this successful. They had a supply target and the demand simply overwhelmed the supply.
Half of the problem is you people constantly ordering and canceling the watch. It causes havoc with the inventory software. That's why you have "June" or "July" in your delivery time frame. It's going to be much sooner than that. But because of people ordering 2,4,6 watches and then canceling later it causes havoc.
They should have had the try on first for 2 weeks and then the pre-order.
Apples mastery of hype has enabled them to be very influential. No other company can whip buyers into a frenzy like Apple.
This launch is going exactly as Apple planned.
This launch is going exactly as Apple planned.
i think polls like this will get you only opinionated results.
1. people that receive/will receive their watches would most likely vote "no"
2. people that do not receive their watches would most likely vote "yes"
no one is deliberating over the factual inefficiencies that you've pointed out. logistics, supply chain control, staff communication, marketing, etc. all those contributed to a less than ideal launch.
i dont think it was a total bomb but i think there were a lot of errors made. errors, which could've been avoided and should've been a non-issue for.
1. people that receive/will receive their watches would most likely vote "no"
2. people that do not receive their watches would most likely vote "yes"
no one is deliberating over the factual inefficiencies that you've pointed out. logistics, supply chain control, staff communication, marketing, etc. all those contributed to a less than ideal launch.
i dont think it was a total bomb but i think there were a lot of errors made. errors, which could've been avoided and should've been a non-issue for
.